An encounter between security forces and an alleged jueteng operator in Quezon province that left 13 men dead was an ambush and not a shoot-out as earlier claimed by the police.

Non Alquitran of the Philippine Star reports a Philippine National Police fact-finding is recommending administrative charges against 15 police officers and the former provincial police chief for using excessive force and violating guidelines on police checkpoints.

"All the facts presented in this case indicate the possibility that an ambush occurred instead of a shootout," the report quotes an unnamed source. The report noted incionsistencies with the positions of fatalities who supposedly shot it out with members of the police and military.

"Among those to be recommended for inclusion in the charge sheet are (Superintedent Hansel) Marantan, head of the Calabarzon Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG); Senior Superintendent Valeriano de Leon, who was sacked last week as Quezon police chief; and Chief Inspector Grant Gollod, who was also relieved last week as police chief of Atimonan town," the report said.

The findings of the committee will be submitted to PNP director general Alan Purisima and then forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation, the lead agency in the investigation.